Senate rejects House repeal of medical device tax

The Senate rejected a bid by House Republicans to repeal the controversial 2.3 percent tax on medical devices implemented as part of the Affordable Care Act.

The House passed the measure, along with a one-year delay to the health care law, as part of a package to avoid a federal government shut down. Both votes happened mostly along party lines.

"Repealing the medical device tax will save jobs and delaying the president's health care law for all Americans is only fair given the exemptions the White House has granted to big businesses and insurance companies," Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio, the House speaker said in a statement.

Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nevada, the Senate majority leader, said the action was "pointless," saying the Senate would reject the measure, which it did 54-46.

"To be absolutely clear, the Senate will reject both the one-year delay of the Affordable Care Act and the repeal of the medical device tax," he said in a statement.